The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-08-17

don't want a beggar to look happy, dc
youp'
"How much does model get for sit
ting" asked Hughie, as he found him
self comfortable seat on divan.
"a shilling an hour
"And how much do you get for your
picture, Alan?"
80, for this l get thousand"
"Pounds?'
"Guineas. Painters, poets and
physicians always get guineas."
"Well, l think the model should
have a percentage" said Hughie,
laughing; "they work quite as hard
as you do.'
Nonsense, nonsense! Why, look
at the trouble of laying on the paint
alone, and standing all. day long at
ones easel! It's all very we'll, Hughie,
for you to talk, but l assure you that
there are moments when art ap-
proaches the dignity of manual labor.
But you mustn't chatter; I'm very
busy. Smoke cigarette, and keep
quiet"
After some time the servant came
in. and told Trevor that the frame
maker wanted to speak to him.
Don't run away, Hughie," he said,
as he went out. II will be back in a
moment"
The old beggar man took advantage
of Trevor's absence to rest for a
moment on a wooden bench that was
behind him. He looked so forlorn
and wretched that Hughie could not
help plying him, and he felt in his
pockets to see what money he had.
All he could find was sovereign
and some coppers. Poor old fellow
he thought to himself, che wants it
more than do, but it means no han
SONS for fortnight" and he walked
across the studio and slipped the
sovereign into the beggar's hand.
The old man started, and faint
smile fitted across his withered lips.
"Thank you, SIR" he said in foreign
accent.
Then Trevor arrived. and Hughie
took his leave, blushing a little at
what he had done. He spent the day
with Laura, got a. charming scolding
for his extravaganza. and had to walk
home.
That night he strolled into the Palette
Club about eleven o'clock, and found
Trevor sitting by himself in the smok-
ing-room drinking hook and settler.
"Well, Alan. did you get the picture
finished all right?" he said, as he lit
his cigarette.
Finished and framed, my boy'
answered Trevor; land, by and by,
you have made conquest. That old
model you saw is quite devoted to you.
I had to tell him all about you-who
you are, where you live. what your in
come is. what prospects you
have"
'My dear Alan" cried Hughie, Il
shall probably find him waiting for me
when l 90 home. But of course you
are only joking. Poor old beggar! 1
wish could do something for him. l
think it is dreadful that any one should
be so miserable. I have got heaps of
old clothes at home-do you think he
would care for any of themP Why,
his rags were falling to bits"
"But he looks splendid in Them"
said Trevor. Il wouldn't paint him
in a frock coat for anything. What
you call rags 1 call romance. What
seems poverty to you is picturesque
ness to me. However, I'll tell him of
your offer'
"Alan," said Hughie, seriously,
''you painters are heartless lot"
IAN artists heart is his head" re-
piled Trevor; land besides. our bust
ness is to realize the world as we see
it, not to reform it as we know it. Il
chacun son METER. And now tell me
how Laura is. The old. model was
quite interested in her."
"You don't mean to say you talked
to him about her?" said Hughie.
Certainly l did. He knows all
about the relentless colonel, the lovely
1amsel, and the 100000"
you told that old beggar all my
private affairs?" cried Hughie, look
ng very red and angry.
'My dear boy" said Trevor, smil-
ng, "that old beggar, as you call him,
IS one of the richest men in Europe.
ae could buy all London tomorrow
without overdrawing his account. He
las house in every capital, dimes off
gold plates, and can prevent Russia
going to war when he chooses"
"What on earth do you mean?' ex-
claimed Hughie.
"What say" said Trevor. 1.-THE
I'D man you saw to-day was Baron
Iausberg. He is great friend of
nine, buys all my pictures and that
ort of thing, and gave me commits
ion a month ago to paint him as a
,eggar Que voulesvous? La fantastic |
run millionnaire!' And must say he
made a magnificent figure in his rags, |
IT perhaps l should say in my rags;
hey are an old suit l got in Spain"
Baron Hausberg!" cried Hughie.
Good heavens! gave him sover-
ign" and he sank into an armchair
he picture of dismay.
Gave him sovereign!' shouted
Trevor, and he burst into roar of
aughter. my dear boy, you'll never
on IT. araip So,, oH1;., 'oet y ,.1,.,y |